Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-11-17

some great sorrow which he was bravcly
struggling 10 rcpress-j just that sort OF
character calculated 10 awaken interest In
tho soul OF n romantic maiden.
A large staircase wound down from
above and touched the floor a few steps be-
yond him.
A hush suddenly seemed TO come over tho
noisy hail. and Fairfax, all at once, became
aware Of the fact that some person or per-
sons were looking at him.
Have you never felt that you were being
watchcdi So he, then, felt and glanced
quickly upward to discover who was obscrv-
ing him.
Had il not been for his self-control, he
would have started violently. AS il was. q
great wave Of color surgcd over his face,
and he quickly looked down again. half turn
ing his back to the staircase TO hide his con-
fusion.
Coming down with stately steps and lean
ing on the arm Of the Marquis, courtly old
gentleman Of perhaps eighty, was Natalie,
gazing steadfastly with her great earnest
Dyes at Fairfax.
Her figure was encascd in a superbly-lt-
ting dress Of crcam-color. In her right hand
she held bouquet OF roses, white red and
yellow; while, above her lovely brow, fast
cned among those dark trcsses, glittcrcd
golden star, from whose center pure dia-
mond shot forth brilliant rays, reflected
from the myriad lights below.
Tho old Marquis, with powdered white
hair and cue, kncc-brcechcs and antique
buckles, and talking TO her with the name
less grace Of the French school. while hc
carried her long cloak ON his free arm,
made, with her, 50 charming picture as
they came slowly and with graceful dignity
down the steps, that every body uncon-
sciously ceased colversing 10 gaze admir-
ingly upon the pair.
II was just at this moment that Fairfax
chanoed 10 look up and catch her eye upon
him. She, too, seemed little confused at
being detected in gazing so fixcdly at q
stranger, and, flushing slightly, turned TO
her escort and asked him some impromptu
question.
Lady Lydia, his watchful companion per-
ccivcd the confusion on the part Of Fairfax
with evident surprise, and said, quickly:
"Ahl you have already met my friend, the
Princess, thcnp
Rarely thrown Of his guard, and wonder
fully quick at recovering himself, he an
swercd, slowly and quieSy:
"You are mistaken. II you refer TO the
Lady coming down the stars, never saw
her before this evening"
This was quito true, for Il was after six
O'Clock, whoa she was watering her horse
at the pool
Not so easily forced 10 retreat, LYDIA dc
tcrminod 10 follow up her attack with n
coup d ciat. Easily and gracefully slipping
her arm through his, she remarked:
Let nc present you, thea"
Was II intuition, timidity or n feeling that
the Princess was a being from another
world and must be worshipcd at a dis
tancc what was IL that caused Fairfax 10
start back with look Of alarm and hastily
exclaim:
mo. Please do not do that"
He saw his error Immediately, as did
Lydia. Smiling sarcastically, she re-
marked, in irouical tones.
'You appear TO be extremely disturbed ut
the idea Of meeting a mere stranger, Mr..
Fairfax; and ono so attractive, too
just here tho Marchioncss entered from
an adjoining room and. seeing the Princess
prepared for departure, hastened toward
her, saying:
"surciy, my dear Natalie, you arc not
going, without, at least, one song. have
stopped the waltz for the express purpose
Of hearing you sing.n
Smiling swectly her charming guest ro-
piled:
Certainly, II you wish il but it must be
only one.n
Going to the piano, the Princess played a
few soft chords and began her song.
Since the fatal moment every occurrence
had been 50 opportune, so peculiarly end
strangely appropriate, that II seemed TO
Fairfax as If he were in a land Of cnchant-
ment, or dreaming. But six hours had
elapsed since he had seen. only for mo
nicnt, and become helpessly fascinated
with the mOBt lovely being he had ever be
hold. Fortune had also willcd Il that he
should not only learn the namo Of this fair
stranger as wen Gs the haunts Of her ar
tistic labors but, also, should become the
present pOsscssor Of certain valued belong
ings Of hors, while, 10 cap the climax, nc was,
nowinot only m rprescncc, but one Of his "a
yorito ballnds, that had been ringing through
his brain, ever since he had read il en-
grayod upon tho handle Of the recovered
knifc-that very song she was actually now
singing, with q voice glorious and strong;
and, yet, 20 sweet and deeply sympathetic
that Il thrilled cvoiy fiber of his being with
pleasure so subtle that II was akin 10
pain. Many did not restrain their tears.
and all were yisibly affected. Whom she
finished, no applause followed. Tho unusual
silence wns far more commendatory. A
gentle pressure Of Hatalic's hand by Tho
Marchioncss, and quiet: Thank you, my
dear" from tho old gentleman, spoke vol
umes OF praise.
Her cloak, trimmed with white ermine,
was thrown over the Princess beautiful
neck and shoulders; her own white fnecrs
deftly enca9cd tho shapely head In lis rich
covering, leaving tho far-shining star still
yisibls
kissing tho Mnrchoness, she turned 10
tho guests, who rose unanimously, and,
making pretty bow, took the arm Of the
Marquis and walked down the hall toward
tho door. As she passed by, Fairfax heard
her say;
THAT song has haunted me all the even
ing and can not get rid Of it,"
He involuntarily started, for had he not
been In the same prcdlcamenti
"A few hours ago." continued she, II
discovered that l had lost n precious gift
that my brother gave 20 me, just before no
died The first fow bars OF that, his IA
vorite ballad, were engraved upon Il. am
very sad over It's loss"--
Here Falrfax Lost her words. He was
seized with an almoft uncomfortable desire
70 hasten aftor her and restore the lost
knife 70 lls proper owner. But the Lady
Lydia, who had been watching him with the
eye Of lynx, remarked, sarcnstically;
"surcly you don't intend pursuing an en-
tlro stranger, after refusing an introduc-
ton 70 herl"
Recalled 70 his senses, Fairfax regarded
his fair tormenl0r q moment, half In en-
treaty, half IA defiance; then, assuming his
usual bravado spirit gave her his arm.
he was filed with JOY "Otton then,
was only hor brother aud not lover
huccere had crownod al The young mans